The first ever recognition of Top Muslim Achievers of Chicagoland was a hit with almost 900 attendees at the CIOGCâ€™s 21st Anniversary Dinner. The attendance was so large and impressive that Governor Pat Quinn appreciated the largest gathering at a CIOGC event in his brief remarks.

Dr. Teepu Siddique, the â€œMuslim Achieverâ€ in the field of Medicine, is pictured here receiving his award, from Dr. Mohammad Kaiseruddin.

The event began with a stunning recitation of the Qurâ€™an by Sheikh Feysal Mohammed. Civic and interfaith leaders also attended, including Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Senator Jacqueline Collins, Consul General of Pakistan Faisal Niaz, Consul General of Turkey Fatih Yildiz, Professor Scott Alexander and Father Mark Francis CSV of the Catholic Theological Union, Reverend Paul Rutgers of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, and Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Executive Vice President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis.

Dr. Malik Mujahid speaks to guests at the CIOGC 21st Annual Banquet.

The introduction of the achievers, their acceptance speeches and the presentation of beautiful yet practical awards were the highlights of the program. The recipients were proud to receive the awards and the attendees were happy to see Muslims with such superb achievements in the fields of art, business, corporation, education, law, medicine, and public health. We again would like to celebrate the achievements and contributions of these Achievers to both the Muslim American community and society as a whole.

Our keynote speaker, Edina Lekovic, Director of Policy and Programming at the Muslim Public Affairs Council, addressed the audience with a discussion regarding the status of Islam and Muslims in America and an inspirational speech that reminds the Muslim American community that our future as a community depends entirely upon us. She proposed that we continue to excel in our fields of work and study, as our Achievers have, and to reach out to people outside of our community to introduce them to who the Muslim community truly is. She emphasized the fact that this is incumbent upon us as Muslims and that the true image of Islam and Muslims would take prominence through our faith and contributions to society.

Nearly 60 masajid, organizations, and schools make up the body of member organizations that are a part of the Council. Representatives from these organizations meet, discuss, collaborate and take action to improve the quality of life for Muslims living in Chicagoland through the channel of CIOGC. In order to better serve the Chicagoland Muslim community and advance our interests, we must unite. Currently, CIOGC is the only organization in the Chicagoland region that unites the greater Chicagoland Muslim community around common interests and works towards advancing the communityâ€™s goals.

Without your support, we cannot continue to unify and empower the Chicago Muslim community. Please take a moment to consider supporting an organization that for 21 years has held a proven track record for fostering the successful growth and strength of Chicago Muslims as a prominent community in Chicago, and the state of Illinois.

We again would like to thank you for your gracious and generous support and hope you will continue to join us in elevating the status of the Chicagoland Muslim community through our work.